Italy’s Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP), the country’s development finance institution, has opened a permanent office in Abidjan to strengthen its support for investment in Côte d’Ivoire and contribute to the implementation of Italy’s Mattei Plan for Africa.

The move comes as Côte d’Ivoire begins a new development cycle under its 2026-2030 National Development Plan, known as the PND 2026-2030. The government aims to mobilize greater private-sector participation in financing the country’s economic and infrastructure priorities.

CDP Director Riccardo Rossi Van Lamsweerde presented the institution’s new presence in Abidjan during a meeting on Sept. 14 with Ivorian Planning and Development Minister Souleymane Diarrassouba, attended by Italy’s ambassador to Côte d’Ivoire, Roberta Di Lecce.

CDP’s activities in Côte d’Ivoire are expected to focus on supporting the private sector, food security and infrastructure. The institution is already involved in the co-financing of an agro-industrial development project in northern Côte d’Ivoire. Potential areas of cooperation on climate-related projects have also been discussed.

The opening of the Abidjan office is part of CDP’s broader strategy to expand its presence in Africa. The institution’s 2025-2027 strategic plan identified Abidjan and Nairobi as locations for new offices aimed at strengthening its operations in sub-Saharan Africa.

For Italy, the initiative is part of the Mattei Plan, which seeks to deepen economic and development partnerships with African countries, including through investment in agriculture, infrastructure, energy, digital transformation and environmental sustainability.

For Côte d’Ivoire, the partnership comes as the government seeks to attract more private capital to finance its development priorities. The PND 2026-2030 places particular emphasis on economic transformation, infrastructure, agriculture and greater involvement of the private sector.

The permanent presence of CDP in Abidjan is expected to facilitate the identification and financing of new projects involving Ivorian and Italian companies and institutions, further expanding economic cooperation between the two countries.